The impact of increased life expectancy on community health, locally and nationally Essay Example for Free

The impact of increased life expectancy on community health, locally and nationally Essay There is constantly a rise in the life expectancy in the US, due to the improved healthcare system. New diagnostic interventions, treatment techniques, incorporation of preventive strategies, and drugs have enabled to increase the quantity of life. Deaths from several diseases including cardiovascular, cancer, etc, continue to decrease. In the year 2003, the life-expectancy of an American was found to be about 77.6 years, whereas in the year 1990, it was 75.4. There continue to be a rise in the life-expectancy. There is also a difference in the life-expectancy between men and women. As in the year 2003, men live about 5.3 years shorter than women. However, individuals in the elderly group are more often affected with chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, etc. The problem has become more severe than ever before. About 50 % of the individuals between 55 to 65 years are affected with hypertension, and 40 % have obesity. As the health and the quality of life of the Americans are currently poor, the pressure on the healthcare system has all the more increased. People are having a very poor lifestyle and do not follow proper dietary and exercise patterns, which could increase the risk of chronic diseases. One of the huge impacts has been on the costs of providing healthcare. Inflation needs to be a major consideration. Considering inflation, providing healthcare for a year of increased lifespan, can increase spending by about $ 20, 000 a year. In the 1970’s, this cost was about $ 7, 400. Is it justified to provide healthcare when the effect is going to be severe on public savings? The costs of providing healthcare to senior citizens have increased drastically. The incidence of chronic disease on elders is even greater, and it would be very costly to provide healthcare to manage chronic diseases. An increased life-span would also mean greater need for healthcare professionals belonging to various fields and various specializations. The demand for healthcare in the US has constantly been rising, and an increased lifespan would mean employing more staff especially to care for seniors with special needs. There has been an increasing demand for institutions that provide health education and also students who find the healthcare field promising and would pick up a career in such a field. However, the need for individuals to join the healthcare sector is high and hence, an increasing life-expectancy would create an even greater problem. As the US cannot meet with the demand for healthcare professionals by itself, it would have to obtain the resources from outside the country. These human resources require further training to ensure that healthcare is provided according to the US standards. References: Medical News Today (September 4, 2006). U.S. Health Care System Offers Good Value In Terms Of Life Expectancy Gains Despite Rising Costs, Study Finds, Retrieved on August 22, 2008, from Medical News Today Web site: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/50922.php Stobbe, M. (2006). U.S. Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High, Retrieved on August 22, 2008, from Breit Brat Web site: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8ECEHUO0show_article=1